Rahul Dravid declines honorary doctorate from Bangalore University

Tags: India, Rahul Sharad Dravid, Doctorate

Published on: Jan 28, 2017

Legendary former India cricketer Rahul Dravid declined to accept the honorary doctorate that the Bangalore University had decided to confer on him during its 52nd convocation ceremony on Friday.

Legendary former India cricketer Rahul Dravid declined to accept the honorary doctorate that the Bangalore University had decided to confer on him during its 52nd convocation ceremony on Friday.

A press release from the university informed that while Dravid expressed gratitude to the university for choosing him for the honour, but "in all humility declined to accept the degree".

"He (Rahul Dravid) has conveyed that he would try to earn a doctorate degree by accomplishing some form of academic research in the field of sports rather than receiving an honorary degree," the press release stated.

University vice-chancellor Thimme Gowda was quoted as saying in a Times of India report, "We've learnt that he's reluctant to accept the award because he'd rather earn it. The honorary doctorate, however, is not gratis. It is a recognition we're awarding him for his contribution to sports."

"We've been trying to get in touch with him, but he's out of town currently. Once he's back, we'll try to convince him about it," Gowda added.

Apparently, the university had suggested three names, one of which included that of Dravid, to governor Vajubhai Vala, who is also chancellor of the university, for conferring the honorary doctorate. Vala approved the former India captain’s name.

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